POLL: Is Riverbend better than Bonnaroo?

If You Go

The word out of Gulf Shores, Ala., is that Moon Taxi did everything they could to steal the show at last month's Hangout Festival.

They were a big hit at last year's Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, as well.

The bad news is you'll need to get there extra early to get a seat under the Walnut Street Bridge and near the Tennessee Valley Credit Union Stage.

The good news is Nothing & the Nobodies and Leogun are scheduled there before Moon Taxi, so you'll see three great shows in a tremendously intimate setting.

The Nashville-based Moon Taxi has been heavily influenced by The Beatles and '60s rock and pop and they are sometimes labeled as a jam band, though their music has bits of electronic, folk, hip-hop and a little prog rock.

In other words, you'll hear a little bit of Radiohead, My Morning Jacket, Phish and Gov't Mule, which are all good things.

And, you will get to see a band on a very small stage before they become huge.

If you've ever wanted to venture away from your comfort zone and try something new, this would be a good opportunity. Strap on your best dancing Chacos and let your freak flag fly.

Contact staff writer Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6354.